California Test 211

STATE OF CALIFORNIA—BUSINESS, TR ANSPORTATION AND HOUSING AGENCY May 2010

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF ENGINEERING SERVICES
Transportation Laboratory
5900 Folsom Blvd.
Sacramento, California 95819-4612

METHOD OF TEST FOR ABRASION OF COARSE AGGREGATE

BY USE OF THE LOS ANGELES ABRASION TESTING MACHINE

A. SCOPE

This test method describes the procedure used to determine the resistance of coarse aggregate
to impact in a rotating cylinder containing metallic spheres. This test is also known as the
Los Angeles Rattler Test.

B. REFERENCES

California Test 201 – Soil and Aggregate Sample Preparation

California Test 202 – Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
AASHTO M 92 – Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Purposes
AASHTO T 96 – Resistance to Degradation of Small-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion
and Impact in the Los Angeles Machine
ASTM C 131 – Standard Test Method for Resistance to Degradation of Small-Size Coarse
Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the Los Angeles Machine

C. APPARATUS

1. Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine: the Los Angeles Abrasion Testing
Machine must conform to the essential design characteristics in Figure 1 and
the narrative below.

The testing machine must consist of a hollow steel cylinder, closed at both ends,
with an inside diameter of 28 in. ± 0.2 in. and an inside length of 20 in. ± 0.2 in.
The steel cylinder must be mounted on stub shafts attached to the ends of the
cylinder but not entering it, and must be mounted in such a manner that it may
be rotated about its axis in a horizontal position. An opening in the cylinder must
be provided for the introduction of the test sample. The opening must be closed
with a dust-tight cover that is easily removed. The cover must be so designed as
to maintain the cylindrical contour of the interior surface unless the shelf is so
located that the charge will not fall on the cover or come in contact with it during
the test. A removable steel shelf projecting radically 3.5 in. ± 0.1 in. into the
cylinder and extending its full length must be mounted along one element of the
interior surface of the cylinder. The shelf must be of such thickness and be
mounted, by bolts or other approved means, so as to be firm and rigid. The
position of the shelf must be such that the distance from the shelf to the opening,
measured along the circumference of the cylinder in the direction of rotation, is
not less than 50 in.

The shelf may also be mounted on the inside of the cover plate (Figure 1). The
shelf must be made of wear-resistant steel and must be rectangular in cross-
section. The Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine must be driven and counter
balanced so as to maintain 100 revolutions in 190 s ± 10 s. The machine must
be equipped with an adjustable counter, which can be set to stop the machine at
the required number of revolutions.

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2. Balance: a balance having a capacity of at least 5500 g sensitive to 0.1 g or less.

3. Sieves: No. 4 and No. 12 woven wire sieves conforming to AASHTO M 92. These
sieves should be at least 12 in. in diameter.

4. Abrasive Charge:

a. Each abrasive charge must consist of a solid, steel sphere having a

weight between 390 g and 445 g. A solid, steel sphere with a diameter of
1¾ in. ± 116 in. typically meets this requirement.

b. The abrasive charge, depending upon the grading of the test specimen as
described under Section D, must be as follows:

Weight of Charge,
Grading Number Of Spheres grams
A 12 5000 ± 25
B 11 4584 ± 25
C 8 3330 ± 20
D 6 2500 ± 15

D. PREPARATION OF TEST SPECIMEN

1. Prepare the sample in accordance with California Test 201. When necessary,
blend the natural material and the material obtained from crushing the
oversized particles in accordance with California Test 201, Section H.

2. Wash dirty or coated aggregate and dry to constant weight in accordance with
California Test 226 at 230F ± 9F. Cool the aggregate to room temperature
before preparing the test specimen.

3. Select the grading from Table 1 most nearly representative of the aggregate
furnished for the work. Separate the aggregate on the required sieve sizes.
Prepare the test specimen using the weight of each sieve size fraction specified
for the grading selected. Determine and record the weight of the prepared test
specimen to the nearest 1 g.

If the coarse aggregate has been separated into 2 or more sieve sizes, select the
grading from Table 1 most nearly representative of the combined aggregate mix
to be furnished.

TABLE 1.

Gradings for Test Specimens

Sieve Size Weight in Grams for Each Grading
Passing Retained on A B C D
1½ in. 1 in. 1250  25
1 in. ¾ in. 1250  25
¾ in. ½ in. 1250  10 2500  10
½ in. ⅜ in. 1250  10 2500  10
⅜ in. ¼ in. 2500  10
¼ in. No. 4 2500  10
No. 4 No. 8 5000  10
Total Weight 5000  10 5000  10 5000  10 5000  10

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E. TEST PROCEDURE

1. Place the test specimen and abrasive charge in the Los Angeles Abrasive Testing
Machine and close the opening with the dust-tight cover.

2. Start the testing machine and run it for the required number of revolutions.

3. When the testing machine has completed the required number of revolutions,
remove the cover and carefully empty the entire contents into a pan. Remove the
abrasive charge from the pan.

4. Separate the test specimen on the No. 4 sieve and sieve the passing No. 4
material on the No. 12 sieve. Combine the material retained on the No. 4 and
No. 12 sieves in accordance with California Test 202. Weigh and record these
values to the nearest 1 g.

5. If the weight of material retained on the No. 12 sieve was determined after
100 revolutions, return the entire test specimen, including the material passing
the No. 12 sieve, to the testing machine. Close the opening in the testing
machine and operate for the required number of additional revolutions, then
repeat Steps 3 and 4.

F. CALCULATION

Calculate the "Percent Wear" to the nearest percent using the following equation:

Percent Wear 
A  B  100
A

Where:

A= Weight of original test specimen to the nearest 1 g

B= Weight retained on the No. 12 sieve after the specified number of
revolutions to the nearest 1 g

G. REPORTING RESULTS

Report the grading of the test specimen and the percent wear at the number of revolutions tested.

H. PRECAUTIONS

1. It is essential that the entire test specimen, including the passing No. 12 sieve
portion, be returned to the testing machine after determining the loss at
100 revolutions. Loss of fines during this phase of the operation will generally
cause a higher than normal percent wear at 500 revolutions.

2. Backlash or slip in the driving mechanism is very likely to result in erroneous

test results. Occasionally, check machine for worn gears, improperly tensioned
belts, worn bearings, etc., to reduce possibility of improper operations.

3. The shelf of the Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine should be inspected
periodically for wear and distortion.

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If the shelf is bent, either lengthwise or from its normal radial position with
respect to the cylinder, it should be repaired or replaced before further abrasion
tests are made. If a ridge develops on the working surface of the shelf, it should
be ground off if its height exceeds 0.1 in.

I. HEALTH AND SAFETY

It is the responsibility of the user of this test method to establish appropriate safety and health
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Prior to
handling, testing or disposing of any materials, testers must be knowledgeable about safe
laboratory practices, hazards and exposure, chemical procurement and storage, and personal
protective apparel and equipment.

Caltrans Laboratory Safety Manual is available at:

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/ctms/pdf/lab_safety_manual.pdf

End of Text
(California Test 211 contains 5 Pages)

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FIGURE 1. Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine

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